Ministerial Statement: Public urged to have their say on Caloundra South UDA

[ozbob]

Deputy Premier and Attorney-General, Minister for Local Government and Special Minister of State
The Honourable Paul Lucas
19/05/2011

Public urged to have their say on Caloundra South UDA

Deputy Premier and Local Government Minister Paul Lucas is reminding people to have their say about the future of the Caloundra South Urban Development Area (UDA).

Formal submissions on the draft plan opened on 31 March and close this Friday 20 May.

Mr Lucas said it was important residents, local businesses and other stakeholders took the opportunity to comment on the proposed plan for Caloundra South.

"This area was declared a UDA by the Urban Land Development Authority (ULDA) on 22 October 2010," he said.

"The release of the Caloundra South UDA Proposed Development Scheme on 31 March has given the community an opportunity to have a say about the future of this strategic greenfield site.

"Ultimately the Caloundra South UDA will provide a variety of homes of different styles and sizes for approximately 50,000 residents as well as 15,000 jobs in new neighbourhoods, mixed use centres and industrial areas.

"The development of Caloundra South will see affordable housing offered in one of the most unaffordable parts of Queensland. This will be of particular benefit to key workers such as police officers, nurses and child care workers, as well as first home buyers.

"This development will have to meet strict environment protection requirements to protect the beautiful environment that the Sunshine Coast is known for.

"Adopting the formal Water Quality Objectives for Pumicestone Passage in the scheme, means the water treatment measures in Caloundra South will be more stringent than those required elsewhere in South East Queensland for other catchments and developments."

The recently introduced State Planning Policy for Healthy Waterways will also be reflected in the Development Scheme. The ecological sustainability targets in the Proposed Development Scheme were developed with the Queensland Conservation Council (QCC).

"The ULDA is also working with the CSIRO on sustainability guidelines for the UDA which QCC has endorsed as achievable and environmentally responsible," Mr Lucas said.

A copy of the proposed development scheme is still available on the ULDA website or at the Caloundra South UDA community information centre at 2/118 Bulcock Street, Caloundra.

The office is open Monday and Wednesday 10am to 2pm, Thursday 2pm to 6pm and on Saturday from 9am until 1pm providing the community with easy access to the proposed plans and the opportunity to discuss them with ULDA staff.

An extensive community consultation program has been run by the ULDA since the declaration of the Caloundra South UDA, including the community information centre will have operated for more than 780 hours and the distribution of almost 45,000 newsletters.

"I encourage anyone who has not yet had their say to do so by making a formal submission by Friday 20 May," Mr Lucas said.

"This is an exciting time for the Sunshine Coast community and I would encourage as many people as possible to be part of the public notification process by reading the proposed development scheme and making a submission with their thoughts for the area."

ULDA Chief Executive Officer Paul Eagles encouraged the community to familiarise themselves with the proposed development scheme.

"It is important that they get an understanding of the requirements that have been built into the proposed scheme which the land owner must incorporate in any future development, particularly pertaining to the environment and ensuring the protection of the area.

"The ULDA looks forward to hearing the community's feedback about the proposed development scheme and progressing this valuable project for the region," Mr Eagles said.

The Caloundra South UDA covers 2,310 hectares and is located south of the existing Caloundra urban area, the Caloundra Aerodrome and the Sunshine Coast Regional Business and Industry Park.

==============================================================